BC Racebook Newsletter - April 20, 2024
Hastings Racecourse - Thoroughbred Racing Returns
Saturday, April 27!!
Bailey on the Backstretch
by Bailey Williams
As we approach the final week of preparation it won’t be long now before the starting gate springs open and the live thoroughbred meet at Hastings Racecourse will officially be underway.
Opening day is Saturday, April 27 with a new start time of 2:30 p.m. PDT.
For now, the backstretch is buzzing in full force with all the horsemen and horsewomen who make the show run smoothly. Trainers are strategically looking over the condition book and horses are carefully monitored each day by their grooms, exercise riders and hot walkers.
While all these individuals are vital to the daily preparation of racing, one thing made abundantly clear from the recent CTHS-BC Thoroughbreds Awards Night was the strong and loyal breeding program that is continuously produced right here in BC.
Every category on the evening included BC-bred nominees. The biggest honour of the night was Open Horse of the Year once again going to Infinite Patience. She is locally bred and part-owned by Bill DeCoursey, who found himself in the spotlight time and again at the awards presentations.The stablemate of Infinite Patience – At Attention – was saluted as Champion Older Horse of the Year.
At Attention also brought long-time BC supporters Bryan and Carol Anderson highly deserved recognition. Bryan reminded the large crowd on hand to continue to sustain the wonderful product in our province. His message was basically: “Buy land, get a mare and bred your own!”
Whether it’s a case of hands-on in the daily routine of the backstretch or a breeder overlooking product for future handling of his/her product, it all comes down to a matter of teamwork in order to create a winning combination.
Hastings Racecourse: A Hub of Spectator Entertainment
New Season Launches April 27
By Greg Douglas - Dr. Sport
When the Hastings Racecourse gate crew signals the official start of the 2024 thoroughbred racing season Saturday, April 27 at 2:30 pm, another milestone will have been reached in British Columbia’s sports history.
It will mark the 135th anniversary of racing in Vancouver dating back to when a horse named Mayflower won the $250 City Stakes on a makeshift Howe Street running surface in the downtown area.
The 2024 Live Racing Calendar over the next six months covers 45 race dates with a revised format consisting of 15 Friday Night cards beginning May 10 and running through the first week of September. Friday start times are 7 pm.
The schedule includes 21 Saturday afternoons, six Sunday afternoon matinees, two holiday Monday afternoons (Canada Day July 1; BC Day August 5) and one Monday night start during the PNE Fair on August 26.
This year’s $1.7 million Stakes schedule launches June 8 with the $50,000 George Royal and $50,000 Emerald Downs. There are 28 stakes races in total, highlighted by the 77th running of the $125,000 BC Derby and $75,000 BC Oaks on Saturday, September 14.
It cannot go unmentioned that in today’s difficult economic times there is no admission to Hastings Racecourse on race days with giveaways, food outlets, live entertainment, exotic car displays and a new barbecue pit on the tarmac all part of the package.
Another key attraction being introduced this year: Friday nights and Saturday afternoons from May 17 through August 25 featuring an onsite Community Market in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. It is hardly surprising Hastings Racecourse has been referred to as ‘the hub of spectator entertainment’ in Greater Vancouver social media outlets.
It all starts with opening day April 27 and the ‘Mystery Wallet at The Track’ promotion where fans can pick up (while supplies last) a complimentary BC Racebook wallet containing up to a $100 wagering voucher.
Let the party begin… .
